Sadr threatens attacks

Cleric calls for leaders to reject accord with U.S.

November 15, 2008|By Mary Beth Sheridan, The Washington Post

BAGHDAD — Radical Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr threatened Friday to resume attacks on U.S. forces if they remain in Iraq, as envisioned in a draft security agreement that would allow them to stay until the end of 2011.

Sadr's statement appeared aimed at upping the ante before a Cabinet meeting Sunday at which ministers are expected to decide whether to support the accord.

The cleric's Mahdi Army militia battled U.S. forces off and on from 2004 until last spring, when fierce clashes erupted in the southern city of Basra and in the Sadr City district of Baghdad. Since then, his fighters have largely observed a cease-fire, and Sadr has said he wants to turn most of his militia into a religious and social movement.

He has kept a low profile in recent months and is believed to be in Iran, according to U.S. military officials.

In a statement read on his behalf at Friday prayers in Sadr City and the southern city of Kufa, Sadr repeated his demand that U.S. troops leave Iraq "without establishing any bases or signing the agreement."

If the troops stayed, he said, he would "support the insurgents," adding, "Our weapons would be aimed only against the occupiers, wherever they are," and not against Iraqis.

A crowd of hundreds attending the service chanted, "Get out, get out, occupiers!"

The bilateral accord would give Iraqi authorities more control over security operations and remove most American combat troops by the end of 2011. It would replace a UN mandate authorizing the U.S. presence, which expires at the end of this year.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, has been notably silent about whether he supports the agreement, and furious lobbying has been going on ahead of the Cabinet meeting, politicians say.

Iraq to stay ally of U.S.

No drop-off expected with Obama, diplomat says. See chicagotribune.com/allies